Up on the Greenfort

Artist Name(s) Grace Weir
Artwork title Up on the Greenfort
Description

A film project  based on collected interviews with local residents, community groups and historians about the Greenfort in Sligo.

Artist Grace Weir became interested in local people's thoughts about the ancient archaeological site, the Greenfort. She comments:

"There is a certain mystery about the site, it has always been a bit inaccessible or seeming remote but I think there exists the idea that it is a place of importance without always knowing why. It has become a place where people's imaginations are loosened and different stories unfold across its grassy height."

The Greenfort was an ancient site of strategic importance for the defence of Sligo. Perched above the town, it affords a clear view across the surrounding landscape, both North towards Ben Bulben, and South from Sligo Bay to Knocknarea and the Ox mountains beyond. After the Battle of the Boyne William of Orange's armies spread west, and with the fall of the Greenfort the soldiers fled to France. This became known as the Flight of the Wild Geese. Now overgrown and a bit inaccessible, it retains an air of mystery.

The film captures beautifully not only the panoramic views from the vantage point of the Greenfort, but people's personal recollections of a place for the imagination.

Biographies

Grace Weir studied at the National College of Art and Design and at Trinity College Dublin, where she won an award for her Masters in Multi-Media graduation project. She co-represented Ireland at the 49th International Venice Biennale in 2001 with her video installation Around Now. She has exhibited widely both nationally and internationally in the UK, Australia, Denmark, France, Hong Kong and the USA. Other commissions include an interactive work Little Bang by the Nordic Institute of Contemporary Art (NIFCA) in Helsinki, Finland, two film works Dust Defying Gravity and Bending Space Time in the Basement by Cornerhouse in Manchester UK and Sight Unseen by Breaking Ground in Ballymun, Dublin. In May 2005 she was elected a member of Aosdana. Her work is held in many collections including the Irish Museum of Modern Art.

Commission Type Local Authority
Commissioner Name Sligo Borough Council
Commissioning process Open competition to be placed on a panel, and thereafter a curated process as part of a programmatic approach
Project commission dates January 5, 2004 - January 9, 2006
Public Presentation dates January 12, 2006 - January 9, 2007
Artform Visual Arts
Percent for art Yes
Budget Range 10000 - 30000 euro
Project commission start date 05/01/2004
Project commission end date 09/01/2006
County Sligo
Google Map Insert View this projects location
Website sligoarts.ie/arts-features/feature-artists/grace-weir/
Public engagement

Local people interviewed and volunteered to help with filming, loaning horses etc.

Opportunities

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Pathway

Nazareth Housing Association provides independent living houses for individuals and couples who are 65 and over and on the Sligo County Council housing list.  Nazareth Village is comprised of 48 houses in a garden setting.  The Village was financed as a public-private partnership between Nazareth Housing Association and Sligo County Council with funding from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.  

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